Sabitzer: We have the quality to beat Liverpool

The Austria international has played an important role in our midfield since his arrival on loan from Bayern Munich in the January transfer window,  with six appearances now for the Reds.

Despite our no.17 possessing plenty of top-level experience in the European game with both Bayern and RB Leipzig over recent years, Sunday’s test presents a potential first opportunity for Sabitzer to play at a packed-out Anfield.

The midfielder has previously stepped out at Liverpool’s home in a Champions League knockout tie during the Covid-impacted 2020/21 season, where fans were largely absent from stadiums throughout the campaign.

Sabitzer and his team-mates can be sure to expect the home crowd to provide a challenging atmosphere at Anfield, but the midfielder is targeting a victory that would put us 13 points ahead of Jurgen Klopp’s side in the Premier League table.

“I’ve never played at Anfield [in front of fans] so I’m looking forward to it,” Sabitzer told club media in a recent interview. “I know it’s a massive game for United, for the fans, for the club. We have to be ready and focused on Sunday. We want to win this game.

“That’s it, there is a gap now [between the two teams] but we have to win this game and I think we have the strength and the quality to beat them at Anfield.”

Sabitzer has become into a well-known midfield player in the last couple of seasons, having appeared higher up the pitch earlier in his career as he enjoyed plenty of campaigns where he comfortably surpassed double figures in the goalscoring charts.

We have seen glimpses of Marcel's finishing ability during his brief time with the Reds so far, including in midweek against West Ham, when he looked to have opened the scoring with a fine early strike, looking destined for the bottom corner, but for Alphonse Areola’s save.

Sabitzer feels sure that his maiden strike in red is not too far away, and that it could perhaps come at Anfield – where the likes of Juan Mata, Diego Forlan and John O’Shea have scored winners in the past and etched their names into United history.

“As you said, [my first goal is coming] closer and closer. I think it was a good shot [against West Ham] and a good save as well. Hopefully, on Sunday against Liverpool, I will score my first one!”

Much like his approach on the pitch to give everything for the cause, the 28-year-old explained any potential goal celebrations will come from the heart.

“Emotions, you know, but I have one for my family, especially the heart. I will form the heart for them [if I score] – for my daughter and my wife and that’s it.”